God of War: Sons of Sparta adds PS4 version and new modes

God of War: Sons of Sparta is getting a PS4 version on November 16, alongside a free update that adds two new challenge modes to the retro-inspired action platformer. Sony Interactive Entertainment and Santa Monica Studio announced the change in an updated PlayStation Blog post, giving PS4 players a way into the series’ latest spin-off while adding fresh reasons for PS5 owners to return. ¹

The PS4 release arrives at midnight local time on November 16, according to the announcement. The new patch lands at the same time on both PS4 and PS5, so the update is not a platform-exclusive extra: players on either console can try the new content once it is available. ¹

What is changing

Hermes Mode is the more measured of the two additions. It is built around speedrunning, with a dedicated timer, split-based tracking and a persistent scoreboard. Players unlock it after completing the game once, although the announcement also lists a button-code shortcut that can be entered from the start menu. That makes the mode useful both for committed runners and for players who want to sample its rules without another full playthrough. ¹

Erebus Mode takes the opposite approach. Kratos and every enemy fall in a single hit, turning ordinary encounters into a test of reaction speed and route knowledge. The mode is selected when starting a new save, and the choice cannot be changed for that save file. It is a small but meaningful twist on the game’s combat: even familiar enemies become dangerous when one mistake ends the fight. ¹

Both modes sit on top of the same 2D action-platforming foundation. Sons of Sparta follows a young Kratos and his brother Deimos through Laconia, using pixel-art environments, platforming and weapon upgrades to reinterpret the Greek-era God of War setting. The game also includes skill trees, customisable spear and shield attachments, optional quests, hidden encounters and loot. ¹

The announcement says the game’s story is canon and takes place during Kratos’ youth. It was developed by Mega Cat Studios, with the writing team behind God of War, God of War Ragnarök and Ragnarök: Valhalla contributing to the story. That combination makes the PS4 launch more than a simple catalogue expansion: it brings a new, smaller-scale interpretation of the franchise to an older PlayStation audience without abandoning the wider series continuity. ¹

What players need to know

The PS4 version and the new modes arrive on November 16, with the release time set locally rather than at one single global hour. The PlayStation Blog lists Standard and Digital Deluxe editions at $29.99/€29.99/£24.99 and $39.99/€39.99/£32.99 respectively, although regional store availability and exact timing can vary. ¹

The announcement does not suggest that the new modes are paid expansions. Instead, it presents them as part of the patch arriving alongside the PS4 release. Players should therefore check for the update on their console on launch day, while anyone buying the game should confirm the live store listing for their region before purchasing.

Our opinion

A PS4 version is a practical expansion of the audience, but the two modes are the more interesting part of this update. Hermes Mode gives Sons of Sparta a reason to stay installed after the story is finished, while Erebus Mode could make its existing combat feel newly tense. Neither changes the game’s identity, and that is probably the right call: a speedrunning toolkit and a one-hit challenge add replay value without pretending this compact 2D spin-off needs to become a full-scale sequel. ¹